Patent ID: 8892011
Filing Date: 2014-11-18
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing apparatus comprising: a housing configured to accommodate developer that includes developer particles having a mean volume diameter; a developing roller rotatably supported in the housing and having a peripheral surface configured to carry the developer; a supply roller rotatably supported in the housing, contacting the developing roller, and configured to supply the toner to the developing roller; and a thickness regulating member including a contact member contacting the peripheral surface, the contact member being configured to regulate a thickness of the developer on the peripheral surface such that an average of the thickness of the developer on the peripheral surface becomes smaller than or equal to the mean volume diameter; wherein when the developing roller rotates in a rotational direction, the peripheral surface of the developing roller contacts the contact member at a first nip position such that the peripheral surface of the developing roller passes upward the first nip position; wherein the supply roller is located below the developing roller and contacts the developing roller at a second nip position, the second nip position being located below the first nip position; wherein the housing accommodates the developer below the second nip position; wherein the contact member has a lower surface facing downward, the lower surface forming an angle larger than 90° relative to a tangent line of the developing roller at the first nip position; wherein the developing roller rotates in a rotational direction; and wherein the peripheral surface of the developing roller has a region located upstream of the first nip position in the rotational direction, the contact member having a thickness being larger than a thickness of the developer on the region, the thickness of the developer on the region being larger than the mean volume diameter.