Patent ID: 9298129
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. A developing apparatus comprising: a housing including: a developer accommodating frame configured to accommodate developer; and a developing frame communicated with the developer accommodating frame, the developing frame including a supply-roller accommodating part and a bottom wall; a developing roller rotatably supported by the supply-roller accommodating part and having a peripheral surface configured to carry the developer, the peripheral surface extending in an axial direction and including an axial end part; a supply roller rotatably supported in the developing frame, contacting the developing roller at a first nip position, and configured to supply the toner to the developing roller, the supply roller being shorter than the developing roller; a thickness regulating member including a contact member contacting the developing roller, the contact member being configured to regulate a thickness of the developer on the developing roller; a sealing member located in the developing frame and having a first part contacting the axial end part and a second part including a first side surface; and a restricting member located in the developing frame, wherein the supply roller includes: a rotational shaft extending in the axial direction, and having axial ends supported by the developing frame; and a roller body including: a contact surface that contacts the peripheral surface and covers the rotational shaft while exposing the both axial ends of the rotational shaft; and a second side surface located at an end of the contact surface in the axial direction, wherein the restricting member has a one side and another side opposite to the one side, the one side of the restricting member being opposed to the second side surface of the supply roller in the axial direction, the another side of the restricting member being opposed to the first side surface in the axial direction with a gap, wherein the gap is communicated with an interior space of the developer accommodating frame such that the developer is capable of moving away from the first nip position toward the bottom wall in the gap.