Patent Publication Number: US-11650520-B2

Title: Toner cartridge having electrical contact surface that can contact electrical contact surface of drum cartridge in accordance with pivotal movement of casing

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a by-pass continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2020/036240 filed Sep. 25, 2020 claiming priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-180986 filed Sep. 30, 2019. The entire contents of the International Application and the priority application are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     There has been conventionally known a toner cartridge including a casing, a toner conveying unit, a first cover, and a shutter. The casing is configured to accommodate therein toner, and has an accommodating portion opening. The toner conveying unit is configured to convey toner in the casing to the accommodating portion opening. The first cover is configured to cover the accommodating portion opening. The first cover has a discharge opening allowing the toner to be discharged therethrough. The shutter has a shutter opening, and includes a first protrusion. 
     When the toner cartridge is mounted to a developing unit, the first protrusion is positioned relative to the developing unit. The casing is pivotally movable together with the first cover relative to the developing unit between a first position and a second position. When the casing is at the first position, the shutter closes the discharge opening. When the casing is at the second position, at least a portion of the shutter opening overlaps at least a portion of the discharge opening, and the shutter opening allows the toner to be discharged through the discharge opening. 
     SUMMARY 
     There is a demand to provide a memory at the conventional toner cartridge described above. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a toner cartridge that enables a toner-side electrical contact surface electrically connected to a memory of the toner cartridge to make contact with an electrical contact surface of a drum cartridge in accordance with an attachment operation of the toner cartridge to the drum cartridge. 
     In order to attain the above and other objects, according to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a toner cartridge attachable to a drum cartridge. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and has a first electrical contact surface. The toner cartridge includes: a casing; an agitator; an auger; a first protrusion; a second protrusion; a memory; and a toner-side electrical contact surface. The casing extends in a first direction. The casing includes: a first toner accommodating portion; and a second toner accommodating portion. The first toner accommodating portion has a first interior space extending in the first direction. The second toner accommodating portion is positioned at one side in a second direction of the first toner accommodating portion and has a second interior space. The second interior space extends in the first direction and is in communication with the first interior space. The casing has a first opening positioned at one side in the first direction of the second toner accommodating portion. The first opening allows toner in the second interior space to be discharged therethrough. The agitator is rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction. The agitator is configured to agitate the toner in the first interior space and to convey the toner from the first interior space to the second interior space. The auger is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction. The auger is configured to convey the toner from the second interior space to the first opening. The first protrusion is positioned at the one side in the first direction of the second toner accommodating portion and is positioned at one side in the first direction of the first opening. The first protrusion extends in the first direction. The second protrusion is positioned at another side in the first direction of the second toner accommodating portion. The second protrusion extends in the first direction. The memory stores therein information relating to the toner cartridge. The toner-side electrical contact surface is electrically connected to the memory. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are positioned relative to the drum cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge by the casing pivotally moving about the first protrusion and the second protrusion from a first position to a second position relative to the drum cartridge after the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge. When the casing is at the first position, the toner-side electrical contact surface does not make contact with the first electrical contact surface. When the casing is at the second position, the toner-side electrical contact surface makes contact with the first electrical contact surface. 
     With this configuration, the toner cartridge is positioned relative to the drum cartridge using the first protrusion and the second protrusion in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge. 
     The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge as the casing pivotally moves from the first position to the second position in a state where the toner cartridge is positioned relative to the drum cartridge. 
     The toner-side electrical contact surface makes contact with the first electrical contact surface of the drum cartridge in a state where the casing is at the second position and the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. 
     That is, the toner cartridge enables the toner-side electrical contact surface to make contact with the first electrical contact surface in a state where the toner cartridge is positioned relative to the drum cartridge at the first protrusion and the second protrusion. 
     Accordingly, the toner-side electrical contact surface can reliably make contact with the first electrical contact surface. 
     According to another aspect, the present disclosure also provides an image forming apparatus to which the above-described toner cartridge is attachable. The image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; an electrical connector; and the drum cartridge. The drum cartridge is attachable to the main casing in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. The drum cartridge further has a second electrical contact surface electrically connected to the first electrical contact surface. The second electrical contact surface is electrically connected to the electrical connector in a state where the drum cartridge is attached to the main casing. 
     With this configuration, the image forming apparatus can access the memory of the toner cartridge using the electrical connector through the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface of the drum cartridge in a state where the toner cartridge and the drum cartridge are attached to the main casing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The particular features and advantages of the embodiment(s) as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a toner cartridge; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3 A  is a view of the toner cartridge, and illustrating a state where a shutter of the toner cartridge is at its closed position; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a view of the toner cartridge, and illustrating a state where the shutter is at its open position; 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to a drum cartridge and a casing is at its first position; 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates a state where the casing illustrated in  FIG.  4 A  is positioned at its second position and the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the drum cartridge; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attached; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a side view of the toner cartridge and a developing unit as viewed from one side in a first direction, and particularly illustrating a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge and the casing is at the first position; 
         FIG.  8 B  is a view of the toner cartridge and the developing unit as viewed from the one side in the first direction, and particularly illustrating a state where the casing illustrated in  FIG.  8 A  is at the second position and the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge; 
         FIG.  9 A  is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge and the developing unit taken along a plane passing through a developing opening, and particularly illustrating a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge and the casing is at the first position; 
         FIG.  9 B  is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge and the developing unit taken along the plane passing through the developing opening, and particularly illustrating a state where the casing illustrated in  FIG.  9 A  is at the second position and the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge; 
         FIG.  10 A  is a side view of the toner cartridge and the developing unit as viewed from another side in the first direction, and particularly illustrating a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge and the casing is at the first position; 
         FIG.  10 B  is a side view of the toner cartridge and the developing unit as viewed from the other side in the first direction, and particularly illustrating a state where the casing illustrated in  FIG.  10 A  is at the second position and the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge; 
         FIG.  11 A  illustrates a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge, the casing is at the first position, and a first electrical contact surface and a second electrical contact surface are positioned away from each other; 
         FIG.  11 B  illustrates a state where the casing illustrated in  FIG.  11 A  is at the second position, the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, and the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface are in contact with each other; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of a toner cartridge; 
         FIG.  13 A  illustrates a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge, the casing is at the first position, and the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface are positioned away from each other; 
         FIG.  13 B  illustrates a state where the casing illustrated in  FIG.  13 A  is at the second position, the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, and the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface are in contact with each other; 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of a toner cartridge; 
         FIG.  15 A  illustrates a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge, the casing is at the first position, and the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface are positioned away from each other; 
         FIG.  15 B  illustrates a state where the casing illustrated in  FIG.  15 A  is at the second position, the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, and the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface are in contact with each other; 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of a toner cartridge; 
         FIG.  17 A  illustrates a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge, the casing is at the first position, and the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface are positioned away from each other; 
         FIG.  17 B  illustrates a state where the casing illustrated in  FIG.  17 A  is at the second position, the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, and the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface are in contact with each other; 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of a toner cartridge; 
         FIG.  19 A  illustrates a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge, the casing is at the first position, and the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface are positioned away from each other; and 
         FIG.  19 B  illustrates where the casing illustrated in  FIG.  19 A  is at the second position, the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, and the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface are in contact with each other. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings. 
     1. Toner Cartridge  1   
     A toner cartridge  1  according to the embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  4 B . The toner cartridge  1  includes a casing  2 , a handle  3 , an agitator  4  (see  FIG.  2   ), an auger  5  (see  FIG.  2   ), a shutter  6 , a first protrusion  7 , an auger gear  8 , a gear cover  9 , a second protrusion  10 , a locking protrusion  11 , a memory  12 , and a plurality of toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13 . 
     &lt;1.1 Casing  2 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   . the casing  2  extends in a first direction, and has one end portion E 1  and another end portion E 2  in the first direction. The other end portion E 2  is positioned away from the one end portion E 1  in the first direction. The casing  2  is configured to accommodate therein toner. The casing  2  includes a first toner accommodating portion  2 A, and a second toner accommodating portion  2 B. The casing  2  has a first opening  2 C, and a recessed portion  2 D. 
     &lt;1.1.1 First Toner Accommodating Portion  2 A&gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the first toner accommodating portion  2 A extends in the first direction. The first toner accommodating portion  2 A has a hollow cylindrical shape. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the first toner accommodating portion  2 A has a first internal space IS 1  extending in the first direction. The first toner accommodating portion  2 A is configured to accommodate toner in the first internal space IS 1 . 
     &lt;1.1.2 Second Toner Accommodating Portion  2 B&gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the second toner accommodating portion  2 B is positioned at one side in a second direction of the first toner accommodating portion  2 A. The second direction crosses the first direction. Preferably, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Specifically, the second direction is a defined by connecting a first axis A 1  and a second axis A 2  to each other. The first axis A 1  and the second axis A 2  will be described later. The second toner accommodating portion  2 B extends in the first direction. The second toner accommodating portion  2 B has a hollow cylindrical shape. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the second toner accommodating portion  2 B has a second internal space IS 2 . The second internal space IS 2  is in communication with the first internal space IS 1 . The second internal space IS 2  extends in the first direction. The second toner accommodating portion  2 B is configured to accommodate toner in the second internal space IS 2 . The second toner accommodating portion  2 B has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first toner accommodating portion  2 A. 
     &lt;1.1.3 First Opening  2 C&gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the first opening  2 C is positioned at the one end portion E 1  in the first direction of the casing  2 . Specifically, the first opening  2 C is positioned at one side in the first direction of the second toner accommodating portion  2 B. The first opening  2 C is positioned away from the second toner accommodating portion  2 B in the first direction, and aligned with the second toner accommodating portion  2 B in the first direction. The first opening  2 C allows the toner in the second internal space IS 2  to be discharged therethrough. 
     &lt;1.1.4 Recessed Portion  2 D&gt; 
     The recessed portion  2 D is positioned at one side in the first direction of the first toner accommodating portion  2 A. The recessed portion  2 D is positioned at another side in the second direction of the first opening  2 C, and is positioned away from the first opening  2 C in the second direction. 
     &lt;1.2 Handle  3 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the handle  3  is positioned at an outer surface of the casing  2 . The handle  3  is positioned at the opposite side of the first toner accommodating portion  2 A from the second toner accommodating portion  2 B in the second direction. The handle  3  protrudes in the second direction from the outer surface of the casing  2 . The handle  3  extends in the first direction. 
     &lt;1.3 Agitator  4 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the agitator  4  is positioned inside the first internal space IS 1 . The agitator  4  is rotatable about the first axis A 1  extending in the first direction. When rotating, the agitator  4  agitates the toner in the first internal space IS 1 . Further, rotation of the agitator  4  causes the toner to be conveyed from the first internal space IS 1  to the second internal space IS 2 . 
     &lt;1.4 Auger  5 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the auger  5  is positioned inside the second internal space IS 2 . The auger  5  extends in the first direction. The auger  5  is rotatable about the second axis A 2  extending in the first direction. Rotation of the auger  5  causes the toner to conveyed from the second internal space IS 2  to the first opening  2 C (see  FIG.  1   ). 
     &lt;1.5 Shutter  6 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the shutter  6  is positioned at the one end portion E 1  in the first direction of the casing  2 . Specifically, the shutter  6  is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the second toner accommodating portion  2 B. The shutter  6  is movable relative to the casing  2  between a closed position (see  FIG.  3 A ) and an open position (see  FIG.  3 B ). The shutter  6  is rotatable about a third axis A 3  extending in the first direction between the closed position and the open position. 
     Specifically, the shutter  6  extends in the first direction. The shutter  6  has a hollow cylindrical shape. The shutter  6  is positioned inside the casing  2 . The shutter  6  has an internal space in communication with the second internal space IS 2 . The shutter  6  has a second opening  6 A (see  FIG.  3 B ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3 A , an entire portion of the second opening  6 A does not overlap the first opening  2 C in a state where the shutter  6  is at the closed position. Hence, the toner in the second internal space IS 2  is not discharged through the first opening  2 C in a state where the shutter  6  is at the closed position. That is, the shutter  6  closes the first opening  2 C in a state where the shutter  6  is at the closed position. 
     On the other hand, as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B , at least a portion of the second opening  6 A overlaps at least a portion of the first opening  2 C when the shutter  6  is at the open position. Accordingly, the toner in the second internal space IS 2  is discharged through the first opening  2 C and the second opening  6 A in a state where the shutter  6  is at the open position. That is, the first opening  2 C is opened in a state where the shutter  6  is at the open position. 
     &lt;1.6 First Protrusion  7 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the first protrusion  7  is positioned at the one side in the first direction of the second toner accommodating portion  2 B. The first protrusion  7  is positioned at one side in the first direction of the first opening  2 C. The first protrusion  7  is positioned at the opposite side of the first opening  2 C from the second toner accommodating portion  2 B in the first direction. The first protrusion  7  extends in the first direction. 
     The first protrusion  7  is rotatable together with the shutter  6  relative to the casing  2 . Specifically, the first protrusion  7  extends from the shutter  6 . In other words, the shutter  6  includes the first protrusion  7 . Alternatively, the first protrusion  7  may be attached to the shutter  6 . The first protrusion  7  extends in the second direction in a state where the shutter  6  is at the closed position. The first protrusion  7  extends in a third direction in a state where the shutter  6  is at the open position. The third direction crosses the first direction and the second direction. Preferably, the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and crosses the second direction. 
     &lt;1.7 Auger Gear  8 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the auger gear  8  is positioned at the other end portion E 2  in the first direction of the casing  2 . The auger gear  8  is coupled to an end portion in the first direction of the auger  5 . The auger gear  8  is rotatable together with the auger  5 . 
     &lt;1.8 Gear Cover  9 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the gear cover  9  is attached to the other end portion E 2  in the first direction of the casing  2 . The gear cover  9  covers the auger gear  8 . 
     &lt;1.9 Second Protrusion  10 &gt; 
     The second protrusion  10  is positioned at another side in the first direction of the second toner accommodating portion  2 B. In other words, the second protrusion  10  is positioned at the opposite side of the second toner accommodating portion  2 B from the first opening  2 C and the first protrusion  7  in the first direction. The second protrusion  10  is positioned at another side in the first direction of the auger gear  8 . In other words, the second protrusion  10  is positioned at the opposite side of the auger gear  8  from the first opening  2 C and the first protrusion  7  in the first direction. The second protrusion  10  is positioned at another side in the first direction of the gear cover  9 . In other words, the second protrusion  10  is positioned at the opposite side of the gear cover  9  from the first opening  2 C and the first protrusion  7  in the first direction. 
     The second protrusion  10  extends from the gear cover  9 . Alternatively, the second protrusion  10  may be attached to the gear cover  9 . The second protrusion  10  extends in the first direction and the second direction. 
     &lt;1.10 Locking Protrusion  11 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the locking protrusion  11  is positioned at another side in the first direction of the first toner accommodating portion  2 A. The locking protrusion  11  is positioned at the other side in the first direction of the gear cover  9 . The locking protrusion  11  extends from the gear cover  9 . The locking protrusion  11  may be attached to the gear cover  9 . The locking protrusion  11  extends in the first direction. The locking protrusion  11  is positioned away from the second protrusion  10  in the second direction. 
     &lt;1.11 Memory  12 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the memory  12  is positioned at an outer surface in the third direction of the gear cover  9 . Specifically, the memory  12  is attached to the outer surface in the third direction of the gear cover  9 . The memory  12  is positioned between the second protrusion  10  and the locking protrusion  11  in the second direction. The memory  12  has a flat plate shape. The memory  12  is an IC chip and stores therein information relating to the toner cartridge  1 . The information relating to the toner cartridge  1  includes, for example, information as to whether the toner cartridge  1  is a new cartridge or a used cartridge, and information as to the numbers of sheets (or dot counts) printable using the toner cartridge  1 . 
     &lt;1.12 Toner-Side Electrical Contact Surfaces  13 &gt; 
     The plurality of toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  are positioned at the outer surface in the third direction of the gear cover  9 . Specifically, the plurality of toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  are positioned at a surface of the memory  12 . In other words, the memory  12  has the plurality of toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  in the present embodiment. The plurality of toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  are positioned between the second protrusion  10  and the locking protrusion  11  in the second direction. The plurality of toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  are electrically connected to the memory  12 . 
     Note that the plurality of toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  may be positioned away from the memory  12 . In the latter case, each of the plurality of toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  is electrically connected to the memory  12  through a wiring. Only one toner-side electrical contact surface  13  may be employed. 
     &lt;1.13 Attachment of Toner Cartridge  1  to Image Forming Apparatus  100 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4 A , the toner cartridge  1  can be mounted to a drum cartridge  20  (described later). As illustrated in  FIG.  4 B , the toner cartridge  1  is attachable to the drum cartridge  20  by the casing  2  pivotally moving about the first protrusion  7  (see  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B ) and the second protrusion  10  from a first position (see  FIG.  4 A ) to a second position (see  FIG.  4 B ) relative to the drum cartridge  20  after the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . 
     “The casing  2  pivotally moves” denotes that the casing  2  and the gear cover  9  pivotally moves about the second axis A 2 . “A state where the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 ” denotes a state before the casing  2  pivotally moves, i.e., a state where the casing  2  is at the first position. “A state where the toner cartridge  1  is attached to the drum cartridge  20 ” denotes a state after the casing  2  pivotally moves, i.e., a state where the casing  2  is at the second position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the drum cartridge  20  is attachable to an image forming apparatus  100  (described later) while the toner cartridge  1  is attached to the drum cartridge  20 . In this way, the toner cartridge  1  is attachable to the image forming apparatus  100 . 
     2. Drum Cartridge  20   
     Next, the drum cartridge  20  will be described with reference to  FIGS.  6  through  11 B . As illustrated in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the drum cartridge  20  includes a drum frame  21 , a photosensitive drum  22 , a charger  23  (see  FIG.  7   ), a transfer roller  24  (see  FIG.  7   ), a developing unit  25 , a lock lever  26 , a first electrical contact surface  27 , and a second electrical contact surface  28  (see  FIG.  7   ). 
     &lt;2.1 Drum Frame  21 &gt; 
     The drum frame  21  supports the photosensitive drum  22 , the charger  23 , the transfer roller  24 , and the developing unit  25 . The drum frame  21  extends in an axial direction and a first crossing direction. The axial direction is a direction in which a drum axis A 11  of the photosensitive drum  22  extends. The axial direction is coincident with the first direction in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . 
     The first crossing direction crosses the axial direction. Specifically, the first crossing direction is perpendicular to the axial direction. More specifically, the first crossing direction is defined by connecting the drum axis A 11  and a developing axis A 12  to each other. 
     &lt;2.2 Photosensitive Drum  22 &gt; 
     The photosensitive drum  22  is positioned at one end portion in the first crossing direction of the drum frame  21 . The photosensitive drum  22  extends in the axial direction. The photosensitive drum  22  is rotatable about the drum axis A 11 . 
     &lt;2.3 Charger  23 &gt; 
     The charger  23  is configured to charge a surface of the photosensitive drum  22  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  and the drum cartridge  20  are attached to the image forming apparatus  100 , as illustrated in  FIG.  5   . The charger  23  is a scorotron charger. The charger  23  may be a charging roller instead. 
     &lt;2.4 Transfer Roller  24 &gt; 
     The transfer roller  24  is positioned at the opposite side of the photosensitive drum  22  from the charger  23  in a second crossing direction. The second crossing direction crosses both the axial direction and the first crossing direction. The transfer roller  24  is configured to transfer the toner on the photosensitive drum  22  to a sheet S in a state where the toner cartridge  1  and the drum cartridge  20  are attached to the image forming apparatus  100 . 
     &lt;2.5 Developing Unit  25 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the developing unit  25  is positioned at another end portion in the first crossing direction of the drum frame  21 . As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the developing unit  25  is configured to receive the toner discharged from the toner cartridge  1  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  and the drum cartridge  20  are attached to the image forming apparatus  100 . In other words, the toner cartridge  1  is configured to supply the toner to the developing unit  25 . The developing unit  25  is configured to supply the toner to the photosensitive drum  22 . The developing unit  25  includes a developing casing  251 , and a developing roller  252 . In other words, the drum cartridge  20  includes the developing roller  252 . 
     &lt;2.5.1 Developing Casing  251 &gt; 
     The developing casing  251  is configured to accommodate therein the toner supplied from the toner cartridge  1 . As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the developing casing  251  has a groove  251 A, a groove  251 B, and a developing opening  251 C. 
     &lt;2.5.1.1 Groove  251 A&gt; 
     The groove  251 A is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the developing casing  251 . As illustrated in  FIG.  8 A , the first protrusion  7  is fitted into the groove  251 A when the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . Accordingly, the first protrusion  7  is positioned relative to the drum cartridge  20  when the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B , the first protrusion  7  is not rotatable relative to the drum cartridge  20  in a state where the first protrusion  7  is fitted into the groove  251 A. The casing  2  pivotally moves relative about the first protrusion  7  when the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20  and the casing  2  pivotally moves from the first position (see  FIG.  8 A ) to the second position (see  FIG.  8 B ). 
     That is, as illustrated in  FIGS.  9 A and  9 B , the casing  2  pivotally moves relative to the shutter  6  when the casing  2  pivotally moves from the first position (see  FIG.  9 A ) to the second position ( FIG.  9 B ). 
     The first opening  2 C of the casing  2  is in communication with the second opening  6 A of the shutter  6  in a state where the casing  2  is at the second position, as illustrated in  FIG.  9 B . That is, the shutter  6  is positioned at the open position relative to the casing  2  in a state where the casing  2  is at the second position. 
     On the other hand, the first opening  2 C of the casing  2  is positioned away from the second opening  6 A of the shutter  6  and thus is not in communication with the second opening  6 A in a state where the casing  2  is at the first position, as illustrated in  FIG.  9 A . That is, the shutter  6  is positioned at the closed position relative to the casing  2  in a state where the casing  2  is at the first position. 
     &lt;2.5.1.2 Groove  251 B&gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the groove  251 B is positioned at another end portion in the first direction of the developing casing  251 . As illustrated in  FIG.  10 A , the second protrusion  10  is fitted into the groove  251 B when the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . Accordingly, the second protrusion  10  is positioned relative to the casing  2  when the casing  2  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B , the second protrusion  10  is rotatable relative to the drum cartridge  20  in a state where the second protrusion  10  is fitted into the groove  251 B. Specifically, the second protrusion  10  is rotatable together with the casing  2  when the casing  2  pivotally moves from the first position (see  FIG.  10 A ) to the second position (see  FIG.  10 B ) while the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . 
     More specifically, the groove  251 B has a recessed portion  251 D. The recessed portion  251 D allows the second protrusion  10  to rotate in a state where the second protrusion  10  is fitted into the groove  251 B. The recessed portion  251 D has an arcuate shape. 
     &lt;2.5.1.3 Developing Opening  251 C&gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the developing opening  251 C is positioned between the groove  251 A and the groove  251 B in the first direction. The developing opening  251 C is in communication with an internal space of the developing casing  251 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  9 A , the first opening  2 C is positioned away from the developing opening  251 C in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . Hence, the developing opening  251 C is not in communication with the first opening  2 C and the second opening  6 A in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . That is, the toner cartridge  1  cannot supply toner to the developing unit  25  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . 
     On the other hand, as illustrated in  FIG.  9 B , the developing opening  251 C is in communication with the first opening  2 C and the second opening  6 A of the toner cartridge  1  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is attached to the drum cartridge  20 . As a result, the toner cartridge  1  can supply toner to the developing unit  25  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is attached to the drum cartridge  20 . 
     &lt;2.5.2 Developing Roller  252 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the developing roller  252  is positioned at one end portion in the first crossing direction of the developing casing  251 . The developing roller  252  is supported by the developing casing  251 . The developing roller  252  is configured to make contact with the photosensitive drum  22  and to supply the toner in the developing casing  251  to the photosensitive drum  22 . The developing roller  252  extends in the first direction. The developing roller  252  is rotatable about the developing axis A 12  extending in the first direction. 
     &lt;2.6 Lock Lever  26 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the lock lever  26  is positioned at one end portion in the axial direction of the drum frame  21 . The lock lever  26  is positioned away from the groove  251 B in the first crossing direction. The lock lever  26  is positioned at the opposite side of the groove  251 B from the photosensitive drum  22  in the first crossing direction. The lock lever  26  is movable between a locking position (a position indicated by a solid line in  FIG.  4 B ) and an unlocking position (a position indicated by a two-dotted chain line in  FIG.  4 B ). 
     As indicated by the solid line in  FIG.  4 B , the lock lever  26  engages with the locking protrusion  11  of the toner cartridge  1  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is attached to the drum cartridge  20  and the lock lever  26  is at the locking position. In this way, the casing  2  is locked at the second position. 
     On the other hand, as indicated by the two-dotted chain line in  FIG.  4 B , the lock lever  26  is positioned away from the locking protrusion  11  of the toner cartridge  1  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is attached to the drum cartridge  20  and the lock lever  26  is at the unlocking position, thereby allowing the casing  2  to move from the second position to the first position. 
     &lt;2.7 First Electrical Contact Surface  27 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the first electrical contact surface  27  is positioned at the one end portion in the axial direction of the drum frame  21 . The first electrical contact surface  27  is positioned between the groove  251 B and the lock lever  26  in the first crossing direction. 
     The toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  are positioned away from the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the first position, as illustrated in  FIG.  11 A . Accordingly, the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  do not make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the first position. 
     On the other hand, the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the second position, as illustrated in  FIG.  11 B . 
     &lt;2.8 Second Electrical Contact Surface  28 &gt; 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  11 A , the second electrical contact surface  28  is provided at the drum frame  21 . In the present embodiment, the second electrical contact surface  28  is positioned at one outer surface in the second crossing direction of the drum frame  21 . In a state where the drum cartridge  20  is attached to a main casing  101  of the image forming apparatus  100 , the second electrical contact surface  28  is positioned at a lower surface of the drum frame  21 . The second electrical contact surface  28  is electrically connected to the first electrical contact surface  27 . The first electrical contact surface  27  and the second electrical contact surface  28  are connected to each other via, for example, a flat cable. 
     3. Image Forming Apparatus  100   
     Next, the image forming apparatus  100  will be described with reference to  FIG.  5   . The image forming apparatus  100  includes the main casing  101 , a sheet cassette  102 , an exposure unit  103 , a fixing unit  104 , and an electrical connector  105  in addition to the toner cartridge  1  and the drum cartridge  20  those are described above. 
     &lt;3.1 Main Casing  101 &gt; 
     The main casing  101  accommodates therein the sheet cassette  102 , the exposure unit  103 , the fixing unit  104 , and the electrical connector  105 . The main casing  101  accommodates therein the toner cartridge  1  and the drum cartridge  20  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  and the drum cartridge  20  are attached to the image forming apparatus  100 . 
     &lt;3.2 Sheet Cassette  102 &gt; 
     The sheet cassette  102  is configured to accommodate therein the sheet(s) S. The sheet S in the sheet cassette  102  is conveyed toward the photosensitive drum  22  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  and the drum cartridge  20  are attached to the image forming apparatus  100 . The sheet S is, for example, a printing paper. 
     &lt;3.3 Exposure Unit  103 &gt; 
     The exposure unit  103  is configured to expose the photosensitive drum  22  to light in a state where the toner cartridge  1  and the drum cartridge  20  are attached to the image forming apparatus  100 . After the charger  23  charges the surface of the photosensitive drum  22 , the exposure unit  103  exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum  22  to light by irradiating the same with laser beam, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum  22 . The exposure unit  103  is a laser scan unit. However, an LED array may be employed as the exposure unit  103 . 
     The electrostatic latent image is developed as the toner in the developing unit  25  is supplied to the surface of the photosensitive drum  22 . Hence, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum  22 . The toner image is transferred from the surface of the photosensitive drum  22  to the sheet S using the transfer roller  24 . 
     &lt;3.4 Fixing Unit  104 &gt; 
     The fixing unit  104  is configured to heat and press the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred to fix the toner image to the sheet S. The sheet S moved past the fixing unit  104  is discharged out of the main casing  101 . 
     &lt;3.5 Electrical Connector  105 &gt; 
     The electrical connector  105  is electrically connected to a control circuit board (not illustrated) of the image forming apparatus  100 . The control circuit board is configured to control operations in the image forming apparatus  100 . The electrical connector  105  is positioned below the drum cartridge  20  in a state where the drum cartridge  20  is attached to the main casing  101 . 
     The second electrical contact surface  28  is electrically connected to the electrical connector  105  in a state where the drum cartridge  20  is attached to the main casing  101 . Therefore, the control circuit board is electrically connected to the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  and the memory  12  through the first electrical contact surface  27  (see  FIG.  11 B ), the second electrical contact surface  28 , and the electrical connector  105  in a state where the drum cartridge  20  is attached to the main casing  101 . As a result, the control circuit board can read information relating to the toner cartridge  1  stored in the memory  12 . 
     4. Advantageous Effects 
     (1) According to the toner cartridge  1 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  8 A and  10 A , the toner cartridge  1  is positioned relative to the drum cartridge  20  at the first protrusion  7  and the second protrusion  10  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is mounted to the drum cartridge  20 . 
     The toner cartridge  1  is attachable to the drum cartridge  20  by the casing  2  pivotally moving from the first position to the second position in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is positioned relative to the drum cartridge  20 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  8 A and  10 A . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  11 B , the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  makes contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  of the drum cartridge  20  in a state where the casing  2  is at the second position and the toner cartridge  1  is attached to the drum cartridge  20 . 
     That is, the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  can make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  is positioned relative to the drum cartridge  20  by the first protrusion  7  and the second protrusion  10 . 
     The above configuration enables the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  and the first electrical contact surface  27  to reliably make contact with each other. 
     (2) According to the toner cartridge  1 , as illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the image forming apparatus  100  can access the memory  12  of the toner cartridge  1  using the electrical connector  105  through the first electrical contact surface  27  (see  FIG.  11 B ) and the second electrical contact surface  28  of the drum cartridge  20  in a state where the toner cartridge  1  and the drum cartridge  20  are attached to the main casing  101 . 
     5. Modifications 
     While the description has been made in detail with reference to the embodiment, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto. Next, various modifications will be described with reference to  FIGS.  12  through  19 B , wherein like parts and components are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment to avoid duplicating description. 
     (1) According to a first modification illustrated in  FIGS.  12  through  13 B , the memory  12  and the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  are positioned at the second protrusion  10 . Specifically, the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  are positioned at one end portion in the second direction of the second protrusion  10 . In the first modification, the first electrical contact surface  27  is positioned inside the recessed portion  251 D of the developing casing  251 , as illustrated in  FIG.  13 A . The toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  do not make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the first position. The toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the second position, as illustrated in  FIG.  13 B . 
     (2) According to a second modification illustrated in  FIGS.  14  through  15 B , the memory  12  and the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  are positioned at the outer surface of the casing  2 . In the second modification, as illustrated in  FIG.  15 A , the first electrical contact surface  27  is positioned at another end portion in the first crossing direction of the developing casing  251 . The toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  do not make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the first position. As illustrated in  FIG.  15 B , the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the second position. 
     (3) According to a third modification illustrated in  FIG.  16  through  17 B , the memory  12  and the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  are positioned at the handle  3 . In the third modification, the first electrical contact surface  27  is positioned at the other end portion in the first crossing direction of the drum frame  21  as illustrated in  FIG.  17 A . The toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  do not make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the first position. As illustrated in  FIG.  17 B , the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the second position. 
     (4) According to a fourth modification illustrated in  FIG.  18  through  19 B , the memory  12  and the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  are positioned inside the recessed portion  2 D of the casing  2 . In the fourth modification, as illustrated in  FIG.  19 A , the first electrical contact surface  27  is positioned at the other end portion in the first crossing direction of the developing casing  251 . The first electrical contact surface  27  is positioned at the opposite side of the developing opening  251 C from the photosensitive drum  22  in the first crossing direction. The toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  do not make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the first position. As illustrated in  FIG.  19 B , the toner-side electrical contact surfaces  13  make contact with the first electrical contact surface  27  when the casing  2  is at the second position. 
     The first to fourth modifications can exhibit the advantageous effects the same as those in the above-described embodiment.