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Developing device and image forming apparatus provided with same

  • US 7,333,746 B2
  • Filed: 10/14/2005
  • Issued: 02/19/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A developing device comprising:

  • a developer tank for containing a two-component developer; and

    a toner supporting member, positioned so that part thereof is exposed through an opening of the developer tank, for carrying the two-component developer from the developer tank to the part that is exposed through the opening, the developing device developing an electrostatic latent image with the two-component developer thus carried to the part that is exposed through the opening, and the electrostatic latent image being formed on a latent image bearing member of an image forming apparatus, wherein;

    end gaps are small enough not to allow the two-component developer to flow out from the developer tank through either of end portions of the toner supporting member, and are narrower than a center gap, where the end gaps are smallest gaps between the end portions of the toner supporting member and the developer tank in a downstream of a nip portion between the toner supporting member and the latent image bearing member in a transportation direction of the two-component developer, the end gaps being in a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction, and the center gap is a smallest gap between the developer tank and a center portion of the toner supporting member, the center portion being a portion sandwiched between the end portions.

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