Patent ID: 6925277
Filing Date: 2005-08-02
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device comprising: a developer carrier whose surface is movable to convey a developer deposited thereon to a developing zone where said developer carrier faces an image carrier; means, accommodated in said developer carrier, for generating a magnetic field that retains the developer on the surface of said developer carrier; and a metering member facing the surface of said developer carrier and configured to regulate an amount of the developer being conveyed by said surface toward the developing zone; wherein the surface of said developer carrier is configured such that a center portion, including an image forming range corresponding to an image forming range of said image carrier, in a direction of width perpendicular to a direction of movement of said surface, includes a plurality of grooves at spaced locations along a circumference of said surface, each groove extending over the image forming range but terminating before reaching opposite end portions outward of said center portion, and opposite ends of a magnetic pole of said magnetic field generating means in the direction of width face the opposite end portions of said developer carrier.