Patent ID: 6167227
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A developing unit comprising:developing means for depositing a developer on a latent image formed on an image carrier to develop the latent image,developer supplying means for supplying the developer to the developing means,developer collecting means for collecting residual developer remaining on the image carrier and delivering the collected residual developer to the developer supplying means,wherein the developer supplying means includes a developer housing and a developer supplying roller,wherein the developer housing has an outlet through which the developer held in the developer housing is discharged, and is divided by a partitioning member into two housing parts of which one of the two housing parts stores fresh developer and the other of the two housing parts stores the collected residual developer, wherein the partitioning member has openings in communication with the outlet so that each of the fresh developer and the collected residual developer is discharged through the outlet, andwherein the developer supplying roller is disposed to confront the outlet of the developer housing, and includes a single rotary shaft and a plurality of composite members fit to the rotary shaft, wherein each of the plurality of composite members comprise a cylindrical hollow body and a cylindrical elastic body fit to an outer peripheral surface of the hollow body, and each of the composite members are located adjacent to the two housing parts.