US 12,346,060 B2
Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
Taira Otsuka, Kanagawa (JP); Hiroshi Hosokawa, Kanagawa (JP); Kazuki Matsumoto, Kanagawa (JP); and Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Kanagawa (JP)
Assigned to RICOH COMPANY, LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Taira Otsuka, Kanagawa (JP); Hiroshi Hosokawa, Kanagawa (JP); Kazuki Matsumoto, Kanagawa (JP); and Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Kanagawa (JP)
Filed on Feb. 29, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/591,024.
Claims priority of application No. 2023-034986 (JP), filed on Mar. 7, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0302790 A1, Sep. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 21/20 (2006.01); G03G 15/08 (2006.01); G03G 21/18 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 21/20 (2013.01) [G03G 15/0865 (2013.01); G03G 15/0891 (2013.01); G03G 15/0893 (2013.01); G03G 15/0896 (2013.01); G03G 21/1814 (2013.01); G03G 21/206 (2013.01); G03G 2221/1645 (2013.01); G03G 2221/1648 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A developing device to develop a latent image formed on a surface of an image bearer, the developing device comprising:
a plurality of conveyance passages in which developer stored in the developing device is circulated and is conveyed in a longitudinal direction of the developing device;
an opening portion disposed in one conveyance passage of the plurality of conveyance passages, the opening portion communicating with an outside of the developing device; and
a filter fitted in the opening portion, the filter having both a collecting ability to collect the developer and a ventilation ability to ventilate the one conveyance passage to the outside of the developing device,
wherein the collecting ability of the filter is higher in a high-bulk portion in which bulk of the developer increases in the one conveyance passage than in a low-bulk portion in which the bulk of the developer decreases in the one conveyance passage, and
wherein the ventilation ability of the filter is lower in the high-bulk portion than in the low-bulk portion.