Patent ID: 8107859
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device comprising: a developer storing portion configured to store a developer, the developer storing portion formed with a replenishing port in an upper portion of the developer storing portion; and an agitating member disposed in the developer storing portion, the agitating member including a rotatable body and a flexible agitating blade fixed to the body at a base end of the flexible agitating blade, the flexible agitating blade being configured to agitate the developer in sliding contact with a sliding portion of the developer storing portion at a free end of the flexible agitating blade, wherein an upstream-side end of the replenishing port with respect to a rotation direction of the agitating member is disposed in a position such that a front surface of the body with respect to the rotation direction of the agitating member is vertical or inclined downward at the base end of the agitating member when the free end of the flexible agitating blade arrives at the upstream-side end of the replenishing port, wherein the sliding portion of the developer storing portion inclines downward from a position on the sliding portion, with respect to the rotation direction of the agitating member, to the upstream-side end of the replenishing port, wherein the position is defined as a vertically upward projection of a center of rotation of the agitating member on the developer storing portion, and wherein the sliding portion of the developer storing portion ends at the upstream-side end of the replenishing port.