Patent ID: 8447216

Claim:
A development unit comprising: a developing vessel in which a developing agent is received; a developing member which is opposed to an image holder on which a latent image is formed, the developing member rotating while holding the developing agent on a surface thereof, to thereby develop the latent image on the surface of the image holder into a visible image; a supply member which is supported in the developing vessel and disposed to be opposed to the developing member, the supply member rotating the developing agent in the developing vessel while holding the developing agent on a surface of the supply member to thereby supply the developing agent held on the surface to the developing member, the supply member supplies the developing agent to the developing member under a condition where the supply member is not in contact with the developing member; and a thickness limiting member which is supported in the developing vessel and disposed to be opposed to the supply member on an upstream side of a position where the supply member is opposed to the developing member with respect to a rotational direction of the supply member, the thickness limiting member limiting thickness of the developing agent held on the surface of the supply member; wherein: the supply member is supported movably in a direction to expand or reduce a gap between the thickness limiting member and the supply member so that the gap between the thickness limiting member and the supply member can be adjusted.