Patent ID: 8290410

Claim:
A developing unit usable in an image forming apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, comprising: a frame defining therein a developer receiving chamber for storing developer; a developing roller rotatably provided in the frame and configured to feed the developer to the photoconductor; a regulating member configured to regulate a developer layer attached to the developing roller, the regulating member having opposed right and left side edges, a supported portion extending between the right and left side edges and fixedly coupled with respect to the frame and a bent portion located opposite to the supported portion, an outer rounded region of the bent portion to contact an outer peripheral surface of the developing roller, and an extension portion extending from the bent portion such that left and right widthwise ends of the extension portion are disconnected from a respective side edge of the bent portion; and a first sealing member disposed on the frame such that at least a portion of one of the right and left side edges of the regulating member comes in contact with the first sealing member, wherein a first contact width between the regulating member and the first sealing member adjacent to the bent portion is less than a second contact width between the regulating member and the first sealing member measured a defined distance away from the bent portion toward the support portion.