# US 2016/0259271 A1 · Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus

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- Number: US 2016/0259271 A1
- Document ID: US20160259271A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/052,116
- Filed: 2016-02-24
- Published: 2016-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-03-05
- Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Inventors: Hirobumi OOYOSHI
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160259271A1

## CPC

- G03G 15/0817: {characterised by the lateral sealing at both sides of the donor member with respect to the developer carrying direction}
- G03G 15/0898: {for preventing toner scattering during operation, e.g. seals (sealing the donor member G03G15/0817; sealing the magnetic brush G03G15/0942)}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A developing device includes a developer bearer, an end seal, and an inlet seal. The end seal is disposed in contact with a circumferential surface of each end of the developer bearer in a longitudinal direction of the developer bearer. The inlet seal includes a center portion in the longitudinal direction disposed in contact with the developer bearer and each end in the longitudinal direction disposed in contact with the end seal. The end seal includes a cutout portion at a side closer to the center portion in the longitudinal direction and at an upstream side in a direction of rotation of the developer bearer. The inlet seal covers an edge of the cutout portion in the longitudinal direction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A developing device comprising:
a developer bearer;
an end seal disposed in contact with a circumferential surface of each end of the developer bearer in a longitudinal direction of the developer bearer; and
an inlet seal including a center portion in the longitudinal direction disposed in contact with the developer bearer and each end in the longitudinal direction disposed in contact with the end seal,
the end seal including a cutout portion at a side closer to the center portion in the longitudinal direction and at an upstream side in a direction of rotation of the developer bearer,
the inlet seal covering an edge of the cutout portion in the longitudinal direction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The developing device according to claim 1,
wherein the edge includes:
a parallel edge parallel to the direction of rotation of the developer bearer; and
a crossing edge extending from a downstream end of the parallel edge in the direction of rotation toward the center portion in the longitudinal direction, and
wherein the crossing edge is a perpendicular edge perpendicular to the parallel edge.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The developing device according to claim 2,
wherein the parallel edge is disposed at a position that nearly accords with each end of the developer bearer in the longitudinal direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The developing device according to claim 1,
wherein the edge includes:
a parallel edge parallel to the direction of rotation of the developer bearer; and
a crossing edge extending from a downstream end of the parallel edge in the direction of rotation toward the center portion in the longitudinal direction, and
wherein the crossing edge is an inclined edge inclined toward a downstream side in the direction of rotation with respect to the parallel edge.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The developing device according to claim 1,
wherein the edge is a linear or curved inclined edge inclined with respect to both the direction of rotation and the longitudinal direction, the linear or curved inclined edge narrowing a width of the end seal in the longitudinal direction toward the upstream side in the direction of rotation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The developing device according to claim 1,
wherein the inlet seal covers the edge and one of a covered portion of the end seal at the upstream side in the direction of rotation and a covered portion at the side closer to the center portion in the longitudinal direction, in both the direction of rotation and the longitudinal direction.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The developing device according to claim 1,
wherein the end seal includes, on a surface facing the inlet seal, a brush bristled in a direction to guide the developer toward the center portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A process cartridge comprising:
a latent image bearer to bear a latent image;
the developing device according to claim 1 including the developer bearer, to supply developer to the latent image on the latent image bearer to form a visible image on the latent image bearer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

An image forming apparatus, comprising the process cartridge according to claim 7.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

An image forming apparatus, comprising the developing device according to claim 1.