Patent ID: 6212348
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A developing unit comprising:a developer support for retaining and conveying developer; anda flexible plate-like developer layer regulating member which is supported and fixed at one end and is free at an other end, the developer layer regulating member having a flat portion, in proximity to the free end, abutting against the developer support so as to form a developer layer of a designated thickness on the developer support, wherein void space made up of at least one through-hole is formed along a width in an area between the abutting flat portion of the developer layer regulating member and the fixed supported endsaid at least one through-hole being formed in an area closer to the fixed supported end of the developer layer regulating member, with respect to a midpoint between the free end and the fixed supported end of the developer layer regulating member, wherein a ratio (Lh/Lv) is set at 1 or lower, where Lh is a maximum dimension along a width of a void space formed in the developer layer regulating member and Lv is a maximum dimension in a direction perpendicular to the width of the void space.