Patent ID: 8165509
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device comprising: a developing member having an outer surface configured to carry a developing agent; a supply member disposed below the developing member and configured to supply the developing agent to the outer surface, the supply member having a bottommost portion; a developing agent container disposed below the supply member and having an inner surface defining an internal space for accommodating the developing agent, the developing agent container having an upper portion formed with an elongated opening having an elongated first edge and an elongated second edge extending along the first edge, the first edge being a lower edge of the opening and the second edge being an upper edge of the opening; a conveying member rotatably disposed in the internal space and in rotational contact with the inner surface and configured to convey the developing agent upward, the developing agent container including a first wall portion configured to receive thereon the developing agent passed through the opening, the first wall portion extending from the first edge in a downstream direction with respect to a rotational direction of the conveying member toward a position close to the bottommost portion, the developing agent container also including a second wall portion extending from the second edge in an upstream direction with respect to the rotational direction; and a regulation blade positioned above the second wall portion and extending therealong, the regulation blade being configured to regulate a thickness of a layer of the developing agent carried on the outer surface of the developing member.