Patent ID: 6978099

Claim:
A developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum by use of a developing agent, comprising: a developing agent carrier configured and positioned to supply the developing agent to the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum; a layer thickness limiting member configured and positioned to limit a layer thickness of the developing agent carried on a surface of said developing agent carrier, said layer thickness limiting member being disposed to form a gap with said developing agent carrier; a sealing member configured and positioned to restrict the developing agent from leaking out of an end in a longitudinal direction of said developing agent carrier; and an elastic member arranged to be in contact with said developing agent carrier to prevent the gap between said developing agent carrier and said layer thickness limiting member from changing upon bending of said developing agent carrier, wherein said elastic member is in contact with said developing agent carrier at an outer position in the longitudinal direction with respect to a position at which said sealing member is disposed.