US 10,520,856 B2 · Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus incorporating same

Abstract

A developing device includes a developer bearer opposed to an image bearer, configured to bear developer and rotate in a direction of rotation of the developer bearer, and configured to develop a latent image on the image bearer and a casing opposed to the developer bearer at a position downstream from an opposed position, at which the developer bearer is opposed to the image bearer, in the direction of rotation of the developer bearer. A casing gap between the developer bearer and the casing continuously decreases or increases from a first end of the developing device to a second end of the developing device across a center of the developing device in a longitudinal direction of the developing device.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A developing device comprising:

a developer bearer opposed to an image bearer and configured to bear developer, rotate in a direction of rotation of the developer bearer, and develop a latent image formed on a surface of the image bearer;
and
a casing opposed to the developer bearer at a position downstream from an opposed position, at which the developer bearer is opposed to the image bearer, in the direction of rotation of the developer bearer,
a casing gap between the developer bearer and the casing which is one of continuously decreasing and continuously increasing from a first end of the developing device to a second end of the developing device across a center of the developing device in a longitudinal direction of the developing device.

1 more element

A device comprising:

a developer roller opposed to a photoconductive surface and to bear developer, rotate in a direction of rotation of the developer roller, and develop a latent image on the photoconductive surface;
and
a casing opposed to the developer roller at a position downstream from an opposed position, at which the developer roller is opposed to the photoconductive surface, in the direction of rotation of the developer roller,
a casing gap between the developer roller and the casing continuously decreasing from a first end of the device to a second end of the device across a center of the device in a longitudinal direction of the device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/210,036Filed 5 Dec 2018

Priority

JP 2018-00618418 Jan 2018

Published

US 2019/0219951 A118 Jul 2019

Granted

31 Dec 2019

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G03G 15/0921
Using magnetic brush: details concerning the magnetic brush roller structure, e.g. magnet configuration
G03G 15/0812
On a donor element, e.g. belt, roller: characterised by the developer regulating means, e.g. structure of doctor blade
G03G 15/0887
Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer: arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing…
G03G 15/0942
Using magnetic brush: with means for preventing toner scattering from the magnetic brush, e.g. magnetic seals

Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus incorporating same

Life of this patent

Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus incorporating same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16