Developer cartridge provided with casing and developer accommodating unit detachably supported thereto

1. A developer cartridge comprising:

a casing having a first opening and a developer chamber; and

a sub-unit detachably attached to the developer chamber through the first opening, the sub-unit comprising:

a cap sealing the first opening;

a developer container disposed in the developer chamber and hermetically accommodating developer therein; and

an agitation member disposed in the developer chamber, the agitation member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the agitation member being rotatable relative to the casing about an axis, the axis extending between the first end portion and the second end portion in an axial direction, at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion of the agitation member being supported by the cap and penetrating a thickness of the cap.

2. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the developer container comprises a deformable bag, the bag hermetically accommodating the developer therein.

3. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the developer container is bonded to the cap.

4. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the developer container is bonded to the agitation member.

5. The developer cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the sub-unit further comprises a rigid frame fixed to the cap, the rigid frame being detachably supported in the casing, and

wherein the developer container is bonded to the rigid frame.

6. The developer cartridge according to claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion of the agitation member is supported by the rigid frame.

7. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the agitation member is disposed inside the developer container.

8. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the agitation member is disposed outside the developer container.

9. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the first opening has a shape and a dimension that permit the developer container and the agitation member to pass through the first opening in a state where the developer is accommodated in the developer container.

10. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the first opening has a shape and a dimension that prohibit the developer container and the agitation member from passing through the first opening in a state where the developer is accommodated in the developer container, and

wherein the developer container and the agitation member are configured to pass through the first opening in at least one of a state where the developer container is empty and a state where the developer has been discharged from the developer container into the developer chamber.

11. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the sub-unit is configured to be detached from and attached to the developer chamber in the axial direction of the agitation member.

12. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the sub-unit is configured to be detached from and attached to the developer chamber in a direction crossing the axial direction of the agitation member.

13. The developer cartridge according to claim 3 , wherein the cap has a second opening for filling the developer container with the developer, the second opening being hermetically sealed.

14. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising an opening mechanism configured to open the developer container in conjunction with rotation of the agitation member.

15. The developer cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein the developer container has a discharge opening for discharging the developer, and

wherein the opening mechanism includes a sealing member sealing the discharge opening, the sealing member being connected to the agitation member and configured to open the discharge opening in conjunction with rotation of the agitation member.

16. The developer cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein the opening mechanism includes a cutter provided at the agitation member, the cutter being configured to cut the developer container in conjunction with rotation of the agitation member.

17. The developer cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein the opening mechanism includes a protrusion fixed to the cap, the protrusion being configured to pierce the developer container in conjunction with rotation of the agitation member.

18. The developer cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein the developer container has a portion more easily openable than a remaining portion of the developer container, and

wherein the opening mechanism includes a connection portion connecting the agitation member to the developer container, the more easily openable portion of the developer container being open in conjunction with rotation of the agitation member.

19. The developer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the sub-unit includes a developer inlet port for filling the developer container with developer, the developer inlet port being positioned outside the cap in the axial direction of the agitation member.

20. A developer accommodating unit used for a developing cartridge including a casing, the casing supporting a developing roller and detachably supporting the developer accommodating unit, the developer accommodating unit comprising:

a developer container hermetically accommodating developer therein;

an agitation member configured to agitate the developer within the casing, the agitation member having a first end portion and a second end portion; and

a cap sealing an opening formed in the casing in a state where the developer container and the agitation member are disposed inside the casing and a state where the agitation member is rotatably supported to the casing,

wherein at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion of the agitation member is supported by the cap and penetrates the thickness of the cap.