# US 2014/0193174 A1 · Developing Device and Image Forming Apparatus Having the Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193174 A1 - Document ID: US20140193174A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/204,558 - Filed: 2014-03-11 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-30 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Shougo Sato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193174A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/0808: {characterised by the developer supplying means, e.g. structure of developer supply roller} - G03G 15/0867: {cylindrical developer cartridges, e.g. toner bottles for the developer replenishing opening} - G03G 15/0896: {Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894} - G03G 21/1676: {for the developer unit} - G03G 2215/085: Stirring member in developer container - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming device includes a plurality of cartridges each including a developing member, a supply member, a developing agent container, and a conveying member. The container is disposed below the developing member and the supply member and has an inner surface defining an internal space. The container has an opening having an upper edge and a lower edge. The conveying member is rotatably disposed in the internal space and is configured to convey the developing agent upward. The container includes a first wall portion extending from the lower edge in a downstream direction with respect to a rotational direction of the conveying member and includes a second wall portion extending from the upper edge in an upstream direction with respect to the rotational direction. The conveying member is in simultaneous sliding contact with both the upper and lower edges to convey the developing agent onto the first wall portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming device comprising: a casing; a support frame configured to be drawn from the casing; a plurality of cartridges configured to be detachably supported by the support frame, each of the cartridges comprising a developing member having an outer surface configured to carry a developing agent; a supply member configured to supply the developing agent to the outer surface; a developing agent container disposed below the developing member and the supply member and having an inner surface defining an internal space for accommodating the developing agent, the developing agent container being formed with an opening having an upper edge and a lower edge; and a conveying member rotatably disposed in the internal space and configured to convey the developing agent upward; wherein the developing agent container includes a first wall portion extending from the lower edge in a downstream direction with respect to a rotational direction of the conveying member and also includes a second wall portion extending from the upper edge in an upstream direction with respect to the rotational direction; and wherein the conveying member is configured to be in simultaneous sliding contact with both the lower edge and the upper edge to convey the developing agent onto the first wall portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supply member is positioned below the developing member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveying member is configured to be in rotational contact with the inner surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supply member is configured to be rotated in a direction the same as the rotational direction of the conveying member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveying member is in simultaneous sliding contact the first wall portion and the second wall portion for conveying the developing agent upon the first wall portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wall portion obliquely extends downward from the lower edge toward a position immediately below the supply member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper edge is positioned upstream of the lower edge in the rotational direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image forming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper edge is positioned downstream of the lower edge in the rotational direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The image forming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveying member comprises: a rotation shaft rotatably supported to the developing agent container; and an agitation film having a base end fixed to the rotation shaft and a free end in sliding contact with the inner surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The image forming device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the agitation film is split into a central first section positioned at a longitudinally center portion of the rotation shaft, and a pair of second sections positioned at longitudinally end portions thereof, the pair of second sections having radial lengths in a radial direction of the rotation shaft greater than that of the first section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The image forming device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pair of second sections has free ends slanted in such a manner that a radial length of the second sections is gradually reduced toward longitudinally endmost portions of the rotation shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The image forming device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a regulation blade configured to regulate a thickness of a layer of the developing agent on the outer surface of the developing member, and positioned above the second wall portion.