Developing device and image forming member including a clearance closing member with grooves
AssigneeFuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
InventorsTakashi Nakamura, Takashi Sakamoto, Munenobu Okubo, Takafumi Wakai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A developing device includes a supply member, a developing device body, and a closing member. The supply member supplies a developer to an image holding element that holds a developer image. The developing device body rotatably supports the supply member. The closing member closes a clearance formed between the developing device body and the supply member with one end of the closing member fixed to the developing device body and the other end, which is a free end, contacting the supply member. The closing member has plural grooves formed to extend from the other end toward the one end.
Claims15
A developing device comprising:
- a supply member configured to supply a developer to an image holding element that is configured to hold a developer image;
- a developing device body that rotatably supports the supply member;
- and
- a closing member configured to close a clearance formed between the developing device body and the supply member with a first end of the closing member fixed to the developing device body and a second end opposite the first end, which is a free end, configured to contact the supply member,
- wherein the closing member has a plurality of grooves extending from the second end toward the first end,
- wherein the grooves extend obliquely toward a center of the closing member in the axial direction of the supply member from the first end toward the second end, and
- wherein at least a portion of the closing member contacts the supply member at least at a center of the supply member in the axial direction.
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- an image holding element configured to hold a latent image;
- and
- a developing device configured to develop the latent image formed on the image holding element using a developer,
- wherein the developing device includes:
- a supply member configured to supply the developer to the image holding element,
- a developing device body that rotatably supports the supply member, and
- a closing member configured to close a clearance formed between the developing device body and the supply member with a first end of the closing member fixed to the developing device body and a second end opposite the first end, which is a free end, configured to contact the supply member, and
- the closing member has a plurality of grooves extending from the second end toward the first end,
- wherein the grooves extend obliquely toward a center of the closing member in the axial direction of the supply member from the first end toward the second end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.