(19)
(11) EP 0 526 018 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
26.05.1993 Bulletin 1993/21

(43) Date of publication A2:
03.02.1993 Bulletin 1993/05

(21) Application number: 92306261.6

(22) Date of filing: 08.07.1992
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: G03G 15/08
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 31.07.1991 JP 191406/91

(71) Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa-ken 210 (JP)

(72) Inventor:
  • Sugawara, Kayo, c/o Intellectual Property Division
    Minato-ku, Tokyo (JP)

(74) Representative: March, Gary Clifford 
Batchellor, Kirk & Co. 2 Pear Tree Court Farringdon Road
London EC1R 0DS
London EC1R 0DS (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Image forming apparatus including a developing device for developing a latent image


    (57) An image forming apparatus (10) for forming an image on an image bearing member (32) includes a developing unit (38) for developing a latent image formed on the image bearing member (32). The developing unit (38) includes a developing roller (52) for transporting a developer to the image bearing member, a blade (58) for forming a layer of the developer on the developing roller (52) and a preventing member for covering the layer of the developer formed on the developing roller so as to prevent the developer from leaking outside the developing unit. By a simple construction, the image forming apparatus of the present invention prevents developer from leaking outside the developing unit when the developer is mechanically scraped up by a blade and is transported to the image bearing member by the developing roller.






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