Patent ID: 8744323
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing cartridge comprising: a casing configured to store developer; a developer carrying member rotatably supported by the casing and configured to carry developer on a surface thereof; a doctor blade provided in contact with the developer carrying member to regulate a thickness of developer carried on the developer carrying member; a supply roller configured to supply developer to the developer carrying member; and an agitating member arranged above the supply roller and configured to agitate the developer, the developer carrying member being rotatable with a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed while contacting the photoconductor, to thereby supply developer onto the photoconductor, wherein the doctor blade includes a supporting plate having a proximal end portion supported by the casing and a distal end portion contacting the developer carrying member, wherein a pressing portion is provided on the distal end portion to define a contacting portion at which the doctor blade contacts the surface of the developer carrying member; wherein the pressing portion has an end face extending in a direction away from the developer carrying member from the contacting portion and facing an upstream side in a rotational direction of the developer carrying member; wherein the supporting plate of the doctor blade is supported by the casing such that the proximal end portion thereof is positioned downstream from the contacting portion of the pressing portion in the rotational direction of the developer carrying member; and wherein an angle α between the end face and a plane tangent to the contacting portion, at a position in proximity to the surface of the developer carrying member, is equal to or greater than 90 degrees, as viewed in a cross section orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the developer carrying member, wherein a level of the developer in the developing cartridge is higher than the contacting portion.