Patent ID: 7356295
Filing Date: 2008-04-08
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developer-carrying member to transport a developer having a carrier to a developing area facing an image carrying member in an image forming apparatus, the developer-carrying member comprising: a sleeve configured to carry the developer on a surface of the sleeve; wherein the surface of the sleeve is formed with a plurality of grooves extending in an axial direction of the sleeve, and wherein the surface of the sleeve receives a surface treatment to make concave and convex portions thereon, and wherein the surface treatment forms a shape of a plurality of concave and convex shaped portions which prevents abrasion of the carrier on the surface of the sleeve; wherein the surface of the sleeve has a maximum roughness Rmax of one-sixth or greater than a particle diameter of the carrier, and a surface index of 1.5 or greater, wherein the surface index is expressed by an equation of wherein LL is a measurement range length selected from a roughness profile of the surface of the sleeve, L