Patent ID: 7333746
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device comprising: a developer tank for containing a two-component developer; and a toner supporting member, positioned so that part thereof is exposed through an opening of the developer tank, for carrying the two-component developer from the developer tank to the part that is exposed through the opening, the developing device developing an electrostatic latent image with the two-component developer thus carried to the part that is exposed through the opening, and the electrostatic latent image being formed on a latent image bearing member of an image forming apparatus, wherein: end gaps are small enough not to allow the two-component developer to flow out from the developer tank through either of end portions of the toner supporting member, and are narrower than a center gap, where the end gaps are smallest gaps between the end portions of the toner supporting member and the developer tank in a downstream of a nip portion between the toner supporting member and the latent image bearing member in a transportation direction of the two-component developer, the end gaps being in a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction, and the center gap is a smallest gap between the developer tank and a center portion of the toner supporting member, the center portion being a portion sandwiched between the end portions.