# US 2008/0187358 A1 · Developing device and image forming apparatus that uses this developing device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0187358 A1 - Document ID: US20080187358A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/020,915 - Filed: 2008-01-28 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-02 - Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd. - Inventors: Tomohiro Kubota; Kenzo Tatsumi; Yoshihiro Kawakami; Yoshiyuki Shimizu; Hirobumi Ooyoshi; Tomofumi Yoshida; Koji Kato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080187358A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/0875: {cartridges having a box like shape} - G03G 15/0855: {the concentration being measured by optical means} - G03G 15/0865: {Arrangements for supplying new developer} - G03G 2215/0673: Generally vertically mounting of said toner cartridge parallel to its longitudinal rotational axis - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A developing device configured such that the developing device or the like can be easily inserted and removed without increasing the size of the apparatus, and an image forming apparatus that uses this developing device as well as a process cartridge. The developing device is provided with a first rib formed projecting from a first main wall surface, which is the side surface with the maximum area in the chassis of the developing device, and a second rib formed projecting from a second main wall surface, which is the side surface in opposition to the first main wall surface, the first rib being disposed in a position higher than the second rib in the height direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A developing device having a toner housing unit within the chassis thereof, comprising: a first rib formed projecting from a first main wall surface, which is the side surface with the maximum area in the chassis; and a second rib formed projecting from a second main wall surface, which is the side surface in opposition to the first main wall surface, wherein the first rib is disposed in a position higher than the second rib in the height direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The developing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises a manipulation portion used for the gripping operation and provided in the first main wall surface, and a manipulation area provided in the second main wall surface, a part of the first rib being used as the manipulation portion, and the manipulation portion being disposed in a position higher than the bottom end of the manipulation area in the height direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The developing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chassis is formed integrally by joining a first case disposed in a higher position in the height direction and a second case disposed in a lower position, and a part of the joint surface forms the first rib and the second rib. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The developing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first case has a depression shape formed in at least one of the first main wall surface and the second main wall surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The developing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the depression shape is formed in the first main wall surface, a developing roller is visible from the depression shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The developing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more projecting shapes are formed near the second rib in the second main wall surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The developing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a partitioning member for partitioning the toner housing unit within the chassis is provided between the first case and the second case. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The developing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first case has transport means for transporting toner, and the transport means is disposed near the second main wall surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The developing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the partitioning member has an undulating shape that conforms with the shape of the transport means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The developing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the partitioning member is made from a material having flexibility. ### Claim 11 An image forming apparatus for forming images using a developing device, comprising a top cover whose front side opens and closes about an axis disposed in the far side when viewed from the front surface of a main body of the image forming apparatus, and configured so that the developing device can be inserted and removed from an aperture formed by opening the top cover upwards, wherein the developing device comprises: a toner housing unit within the chassis thereof; a first rib formed projecting from a first main wall surface, which is the side surface with the maximum area in the chassis; and a second rib formed projecting from a second main wall surface, which is the side surface in opposition to the first main wall surface, the first rib being disposed in a position higher than the second rib in the height direction, and the first main wall surface of the developing device being disposed to the far side of the image forming apparatus. ### Claim 12 A process cartridge, comprising a developing device integrally formed with at least a photosensitive member, wherein the developing device comprises: a toner housing unit within the chassis thereof; a first rib formed projecting from a first main wall surface, which is the side surface with the maximum area in the chassis; and a second rib formed projecting from a second main wall surface, which is the side surface in opposition to the first main wall surface, the first rib being disposed in a position higher than the second rib in the height direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The process cartridge as claimed in claim 12, wherein the process cartridge comprises the developing device which is further integrally formed with at least one of a charging device and a cleaning device.