Patent ID: 8918036
Filing Date: 2014-12-23
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device for use in an image forming apparatus for visualizing an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image bearer with toner, comprising: a developing roller configured to supply toner to an electrostatic latent image bearer in an image forming apparatus; and, a toner layer regulatory member configured to be brought in pressing contact with the developing roller to regulate the layer thickness of toner supported on a surface of the developing roller, characterized in that wherein the toner layer regulatory member contains a plurality of flexible elastic sheet parts abutting the developing roller and a holding part holding each of the plurality of flexible elastic sheet parts, each of the plurality of flexible elastic sheet parts is formed along an axial direction of the developing roller and arranged side by side across a circumferential direction of the developing roller, each of the plurality of flexible elastic sheet parts forms a free end and supported ends, the free end is a projected end which extends in the axial direction of the developing roller and projects toward the developing roller, the supported ends are the other end side of the free end and are held by the holding part, and the holding part has a depression which holds the other end side of each of the plurality of flexible elastic sheet parts in such a manner that the free end side of the elastic part can move, the holding part contains a plurality of depressions corresponding to the plural elastic parts, each of the plurality of the depressions has a curved surface or a slope as a holdable portion for enabling to hold at least one of the supported ends of the elastic part, the curved surface or the slope is formed in such a manner that as a distance between the developing roller and a position on the curved surface or the slope becomes longer, a width of a depression space formed by the curved surface or the slope with respect to the circumferential direction of the developing roller becomes narrower, and the supported ends are movable at both ends or at one end along the curved surface or the slope.